ARC Review: The Christmas Cowboy Hero by Donna Grant

Title: The Christmas Cowboy Hero

Author: Donna Grant

Release Date: October 31, 2017 (ARC)

Publisher: St Martin’s Press

Category: Western Contemporary Romance

Type: Digital

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Donna Grant Website

Blurb:

New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant returns to Texas, where a small-town legend just might find the greatest gift of all. . .

’Tis the season for ex-Navy SEAL Clayton East to come home for the holidays—even if the mood at home is anything but festive. His father is ill. The East Ranch is in financial trouble. And now it’s on Clayton, the prodigal son, to make sure his family doesn’t lose everything.

Headstrong Abby Harper is like a mother to her younger brothers, who she’s helped raise since she was a teenager. Keeping them in line is no small task while she’s also working toward her college degree. And now that one of her brothers has been arrested for stealing cattle at the East Ranch, Abby is at her wits’ end. But there is a silver lining: Clayton East. He believes in second chances, and is willing to give one to her brother this Christmas. Letting beautiful Abby—and the inescapable longing in his heart—off the hook, however, is a whole ’nother story. Could it be that the woman of this local hero’s dreams has been back at home all along? 

Favorite Line:

“I’m going to have to teach you how to bargain, because you suck at it.”  ~  Clayton

Dialogue Highlight:

“It’s been a long time since I’ve kissed anyone.”

“Their loss. My gain.”And damn if he didn’t feel male pride at having her in his arms.

She glanced at the ground as she smiled. Then her gaze met his as she pulled her hands down to rest on his chest. “Be careful, Clayton East, I might realize you’re a good guy.”

“I can promise you that I’m not.”

Her grin widened. “You’re wrong.”

He drew in a breath and took a step back, separating their bodies. There were no more words needed as they began their walk back to the house. No sooner had they reached the porch than her brothers opened the back door to look for her.

“I’m so full my stomach hurts,”Caleb said, looking a bit green.

Brice rolled his eyes. “You shouldn’t have eaten that slice of cake after the pie and the four cookies.”

“Caleb,”Abby admonished with a roll of her eyes.

Her youngest brother put one hand over his stomach as he raised the other, palm out. “Give me five minutes, and I can eat the ice cream Mrs. Justine offered.”

“Oh, no you’re not,”Abby set. “You’ve had more than enough.”

Caleb’s face crumbled in a frown. “Abby, that’s not fair. Brice ate just as much as I did. And he had the ice cream.”

Clayton hid his smile as Abby swung her perturbed gaze to Brice.

The teen merely grinned and shrugged. “What? I can hold my food better.”

“Oh, my God, you two,”Abby mumbled. “Grab your coats. We need to get going.”

When the boys went back into the house, Clayton grabbed her hand before she could follow them. Abby turned to him. As her big blue eyes met his, he grinned.

She gave him a wink in return. He reluctantly released her hand as they entered the house. There was a round of good-byes with his parents before he walked her to the door.

Right before she closed the car door, he said, “Be careful.”

“Always,”she replied.

Excerpt:  (from ARC – content could change)

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His eyes dropped to her lips. Blood surged to his cock at the thought of taking her mouth and tasting her sweetness. Just before he was about to lean forward, Brice and Caleb came into the house with Shane.

The sound of her brothers had Abby looking away. Clayton stopped her before she turned from him. When her gaze once again met his, he said, “Your brothers are fine. Mom and Shane are with them. You can take some time for yourself.”

“I know,”she said in a low voice. “I’m just so used to being the only one to watch over them. Brice seems to have grown up overnight. I think you’re the cause of that.”

He held back a frown at the sadness in her voice. “Are you happy about that?”

“Yes,”she said with a small smile. “You’re a good example for both of my brothers.”

“So are you.”

“Abby,”Caleb said as he came into the office, his hair windblown and his brown eyes alight with joy. “Oh, my God. This place is so awesome. It’s so much more than Brice described. I mean it’s …wow.”

She smiled, laughing at Caleb’s enthusiasm. “I’m glad you think so.”

Caleb then turned to Clayton. “I know Brice is working off a debt, but is there any way I can come work with him this weekend? I promise I’ll pull my weight.”

Clayton was surprised at the boy’s request. “Did you ask your sister first?”

“Abby, please,”Caleb begged. “You can have an entire weekend to yourself.”

“I wouldn’t know what to do with myself,”she said with a wink. “Actually, I think I’ll be here going over the books anyway. I’m fine with it, but the ultimate decision is Clayton’s.”

Caleb turned his dark gaze back to him, silently pleading. As if Clayton could hold out against such fervor. He gave a nod, which had Caleb yelping in excitement before running back to the kitchen to Brice.

“I hope you don’t regret that,”Abby said, chuckling.

But all Clayton could think about was that she would at the ranch. With him. He swallowed, his gaze lowering to her lips as he thought of kissing her. Hell, it’s all he’d been thinking about for days.

Then he had a thought. “Why don’t the three of you stay the entire weekend? Come Friday night.”

A small frown furrowed her brow. “I don’t know.”

“Why not? We have plenty of room. The boys can bunk with the other workers if they don’t want to stay in the house. Consider it a little vacation for you. You don’t even have to work.”

She shook her head while she smiled. “I’ll be working.”

“Not the entire time. Say yes, Abby.”

“Why?”

“Why not?”he countered. He didn’t want to tell her that the thought of her staying at the ranch pleased him more than anything had in years.

Abby blew out a breath as she contemplated his offer. “I don’t know.”

“What are you afraid of? Having a good time? Enjoying this place? Or letting someone do something for you?”he challenged.

“I knew you were going to bring that up.”

He shrugged, knowing that she was the one doing him a favor by looking through the books, but he intended to make sure she had some fun, as well.

“Don’t make me go to the boys,”Clayton said. “If I mention it to them, they won’t let up until you give in.”

Her gaze narrowed on him as she tried to hide her smile. “Oh, that was sneaky.”

“I do what must be done to get what I want.”And he wanted her there.

She gave a single nod. “All right.”

It was all Clayton could do not to give a shout just like Caleb had earlier.

Review:

Clayton East is the ideal “perfect guy”. He’s a retired Navy SEAL, he’s got mad skills that aid in protecting those he loves; he’s intelligent; he’s gorgeous – Oh! And he’s a cowboy that fills out a pair of Wranglers very nicely. *le sigh* He’s been running from tragedy in childhood and refusing to deal with the loss. Instead, he joins the Navy and then takes on an assignment in Africa. When suspicious activity threatens the livelihood of his family ranch, he is called home to get to the bottom of things. He wasn’t bargaining for the beauty he encounters who has the exact skill set he requires. It isn’t difficult to figure out a way to keep her near, but convincing her to let her guard down will be another thing altogether.

Abby Harper thinks of herself last in all aspects. She’s been taking care of her brothers since their mother ran out on them and her life consists of working and providing for them. She doesn’t have time for anything social – and she doesn’t want it. Love isn’t a great thing. It isn’t unconditional; it doesn’t pay the bills; and it frequently breaks your heart, leaving years of wreckage in its wake. When her brother finds himself in hot water and at the mercy of Clayton East, she assumes the worst. But Clayton is all about second chances – especially if it involves keeping Abby around. As they untangle the web of deceit surrounding the ranch, she comes to care for Clayton a little more each day. But forever isn’t forever and taking a chance on love isn’t worth the risk.

Nothing like getting into the Christmas season early than with some really fun, entertaining reads! I very much enjoyed my time spent with Clayton and Abby. Books in which a character has to grow in order to realize that their only chance might be sitting right in front of them are right up my alley. Clayton accepts his feelings relatively soon, but Abby resists for a while. There is a slight amount of suspense within the book, but not surrounding their relationship. Everything happening around Christmas is a benefit because she and her brothers have never experienced one like this before. I can see where I would have been awe-struck in such a situation myself. It is very easy to like the characters within the book. The secondary characters add a lot to the story and draw you in even more with their own growth. This book is a great reminder of how tragedy shapes us and ultimately how it can lead us to where we are meant to be. I don’t want it to sound too heavy with the tragedy, because it isn’t like that – after all, we are looking for a Christmas-themed HEA.  Probably my only complaint is that the word “atop” was used so many times that it became annoying. It is probably mostly personal preference, but I feel like “atop” is more of an older word and that I would read it in a Historical novel versus this contemporary novel.

Overall, this book will get you in the holiday spirit and have you rooting for the main characters in no time. There is some sexual content that is pretty explicit; no dirty explicit, erotic explicit. I’m sure this read will satisfy readers even if they aren’t looking specifically for a holiday read. Ms. Grant did a wonderful job of creating lovable, endearing characters that readers will enjoy getting to know. Get your warm, fuzzy, holiday groove started right with this sexy, sweet read. 

Kindle version provided by NetGalley/St Martins Press in exchange for an honest review.